Creative Writing Prompts

Start your story with, “In retrospect, I wouldn’t say it was my best idea.” And end it with, “And that’s how I attempted to make this world a better place.” Read more

Write a short story based on your favorite song, using the song’s title as your story’s title and the lyrics for your plot. Read more

Write about a millionaire who suddenly loses his fortune and finds himself without any possessions. Read more

Describe your dream house. Where is it located? How many bedrooms? Is there a swing set in the backyard or a motorcycle? The more details, the better. Read more

In 2020, The Associated Press writes another story about the Writer’s Digest legacy, and they’ve dedicated an entire paragraph to your successful career. When flipping through your local paper, you find the story. What does the paragraph say? Read more

Write a 16-line poem (rhyming or non-rhyming) about a moment from your childhood that changed your life for the better. Read more

You’re at home watching “CSI” when you hear a faint scratching at the door. Upon opening it, you see a small dog looking up at you. You examine the dog’s collar and see a phone number and the message “If you find this cat, call this number immediately.” (Yes, that’s right, cat.) Against your better judgment, you call the number. Two hours later you find yourself in a basement with two dead bodies on the floor. What happened? Read more

You’re in an unfamiliar situation. People you know are there, though they are all acting strange. As the scene moves on, it becomes clear that you’re about to be executed by friends and you have no idea why. Find out why and attempt to save yourself. Read more

Babies typically talk in babbles that adults can’t understand. But one day, while at the park, you’re sitting on a bench next to two babies. They start their babbling, when all of a sudden you realize you can understand them. Even more, they are plotting a nefarious plan. Write this scene. Read more

Let’s write a story together. Add one sentence to help further the story (you can read the sentences before it to stay on theme). There is one catch: You must start your sentence with the alphabet letter that follows the one that started the prior sentence. For example, if the last sentence is “The sun was shining bright that morning,” the first word of your sentence must start with a “U.” (When it gets to “Z,” start back again with “A.”). Read more

You’re a stand-up comedian having a good night on stage except for one loudmouth in the back of the crowd who keeps heckling you. As your set ends, you storm off stage to confront this person, only to discover it’s (fill in the blank). Write this scene. Read more

It’s garbage day and you put your trash on the curb, but when you return home from work, it’s still there (though everyone else’s garbage has been taken away). The next week, it happens again–and again the following week. Why is the trash collector snubbing you? Write a scene explaining why he’s skipping your garbage and how you figured it out. Read more

Look around the room and pick an object. Write one paragraph describing the object in full detail and a second paragraph explaining where it came from. Read more

You’re sitting at work one day and receive a text message from an unrecognized number. The text says, “I have the money and hid the body.” You think this is a practical joke from a friend, so you play along at first. But the more texts you receive, the more you realize that it isn’t a joke. Write the text conversation you have with this unknown texter. Read more

After years of unhappiness, you’ve finally had enough and have decided to quit but we’re not talking about your job. Write a letter of resignation to someone other than your employer, your school, your family, your favorite sports team, whatever. Just be sure to keep it PG-13. Read more

Create a character that has an unusual phobia. Write a scene that causes that character to face his fear.

What are your New Year’s resolutions for 2008? Post them on our forum and then, at the end of the year, I’ll check in to see which ones you’ve accomplished. Read more

You have a job interview and meet the interviewer. When you leave the interview, you realize you’ve mistakenly taken the interviewer’s phone and he’s taken yours. The new phone rings and the caller ID reveals it’s someone you know. Read more

After drinking a few too many eggnogs at your annual holiday party, you wake up the next morning realizing you did some things you now regret. Write an e-mail to your boss that will ensure you still get a raise next year. Read more

Write a 26-word story where every word begins with a different letter of the alphabet.

You go to the doctor for a regular checkup and she gives you some life-changing news. Write this scene.

Finish this sentence: I’m thankful I’m a writer because … Read more

Your family isn’t cooperating with your writing career, so you’ve decided to go on strike. Write a list of demands that must be met in order for you to return to your chores and household responsibilities. (Don’t forget to make a concession or two to speed up the negotiation process.) Read more

You are running for president of the writing community. What promises do you make to swing voters in your direction? (For example, if Maria Schneider were running she would ban semi-colons and the word “whom” from the English language). Read more

Most of us set a New Year’s resolution that this was going to be the year we finished our manuscript. But once again, we neglected it. Write an apology letter to your manuscript explaining what happened and how you plan to make it up to the manuscript by December 31. Read more